Recently freed inmate arrested in home invasion, kidnapping

NEW BRITAIN, Conn. — A sex offender recently freed from prison was arrested in the death of a woman abducted while visiting a friend, police said Monday. The friend was shot and seriously wounded.

The body of MaryEllen Welsh, 62, was found in a wooded area of Bristol, about 10 miles from New Britain, where she was abducted Sunday. She apparently had been shot, New Britain police said.

She was visiting a friend Sunday morning when someone broke into the house, Sgt. Darren Pearson said. The friend, identified as Carol Larese, 65, was badly wounded but was expected to recover.

Authorities arrested Leslie Williams, 31, when he crashed Welsh's car after a police chase about five hours after the home invasion.

Williams has been charged with attempted murder, robbery, kidnapping with a firearm and other crimes connected with what happened to Larese, Pearson said. He said police were preparing to charge him in connection with crimes against Welsh. Williams was expected to be in court on Monday.

Pearson said it appears Williams acted alone in what he called a "crime of opportunity." Police said Welsh had been undergoing treatment for cancer.

Williams was released March 4 from a medium-security correctional institution after serving eight years for sexual assault and risk of injury to a minor, according to state records.